Page 81 of Spike

“That’s right. So,that makes you my family. And if Trixie is your old lady, she’s my family too.”

“I’m gonna findsome way to pay you back. I swear,” I said.

“In the meantime,we’ll get Edison paid, and you can decide how to deal with pastor Gary.”

Ropes held out hishand for a shake, but I pulled him in for a hug. “Thank you.”

** *

I enteredAubergine Antiques and was immediately greeted by a well-dressed, attractive,brunette woman who looked to be in her mid-thirties. Other than the two of us,the shop appeared to be devoid of people. I carried a black duffel bag whichcontained five-hundred-thousand dollars in cash.

“Good evening,welcome to Aubergine. My name is Miranda, how may I help you?”

“I’m here to seeEdison,” I replied.

“I’m, sorry, butthere’s no one here by that name. Perhaps you—”

“Oleg Volkov,” Iinterrupted. “I know he’s here and I need to speak with him, now.”

“Do you have anappointment?” she asked, dropping the pleasantries.

I spotted asecurity camera pointed directly at me and set the duffel bag down. I thenunzipped it to reveal the contents. “Here’s my appointment.”

Just then thephone on Miranda’s reception desk rang, which she answered. “Yes, sir. I’llsend him right in,” she said before hanging up.

“Please followme,” she said, leading me to the back of the showroom and through a door marked‘PRIVATE.’

As soon as I wasthrough the door, two huge bodyguards, grabbed me, spun me around and werefrisking me against the wall.

“He’s clean,Boss,” one of the guards said, in a thick Eastern European accent, as the otherhanded him the duffel bag.

I shook the guardoff of me and straightened my kutte.

“Who the fuck areyou?” Edison asked.

“Spike. I ridewith the Burning Saints.”

“I didn’t ask whoyou ride with. Besides I can read,” he said pointing to the club patch on my kutte.

“Yeah? Then howcome you asked me for my name. It’s right fucking here.” I pointed to my namepatch.

“Normally, I’dhave Kevin break your jaw for your lack of respect,” he said, pointing to theguard closest to me, “but this sack full of money has me intrigued.”

“Your name isKevin?”I asked the towering man, who let out a low growl in return.

“Why are you here,Spike of the Burning Saints?”

“I’m here to payoff Gary Mitchell’s debt,” I replied. “There’s half a million in cash in thatbag. Which more than settles his tab with you.”

Edison bobbed hishead up and down. “This is good. Very good. I’m surprised, to be honest. Ithought the pastor might try something stupid like involving the police, butinstead he sends me a tough guy motorcycle man.”

His guards laughedin unison.

Edison waved Kevinover to him. “Take this to the back room, inspect the bag for bugs or atracking device, and count the money.” He then turned to me. “Don’t worry,Kevin won’t be counting by hand. We have a machine, like the ones they have inLas Vegas. It’ll only take about ten minutes.”

“I can wait, butI’ll tell you right now, if you’ve got anything stupid in mind, like making medisappear and keeping that money, I’d advise you squash that shit. My clubknows I’m here, and they don’t give a fuck about your politician friends.”

Edison smiled. “Iknew your club founder, Cutter. He and I did business together many times. Andif this was still his club, I might be a touch intimidated by your words, butit’s not.”

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